Government Girls: A Novel of Hope during World War II In 1942, best friends Mary and Marge leave behind their quiet lives as teachers in Iowa and set off for Washington, D.C., determined to contribute to the war effort by joining the FBI. Filled with anticipation and uncertainty, neither woman can imagine how profoundly the war will change their lives. Upon their arrival at Union Station, they cross paths with Dotty, a sharp, spirited woman who left her all-girl band in New York City in search of new beginnings. Despite the racial prejudice that surrounds her, Dotty secures a government clerical position-thanks to her most prized possession, a typewriter. The three women soon find themselves sharing rooms in a dilapidated mansion that doubles as both a boarding house and restaurant. There, they meet Bridget, an eccentric artist chasing her Hollywood dreams through screenwriting. As Mary and Marge navigate their demanding fingerprint-filing jobs at the FBI, the friends grow increasingly aware of their vulnerabilities-but also their courage-in a world torn apart by war. Though their paths and personalities differ greatly, the four women forge an unbreakable bond, defying the social limitations of their time and embracing the rapid transformation of opportunities for women.